Sometimes people say to us, “I’m so glad you all are out there doing what you do at Turtle Rock Farm!”We are always a little taken-aback by that kind of response. Glad to be appreciated, certainly— and glad to have the opportunity to respond with something like: “Sustainable practices are for everyone, everywhere—not only out here in the country, on a farm.”

So it is with hope and excitement that we support the great work of the people in the Oklahoma City Urban Ag Coalition, including Transition OKC, who are offering educational events at the first OKC Urban Ag Week. We’ll be helping out, leading a workshop too.Here’s the line-up.

Kurt Reiger, President of Smart Pot, a locally owned and operated Oklahoma City business, presents a lunch-and-learn class on the national movement of container-growing vegetables. Smart Pot gardening containers provide an excellent balance of water retention, drainage and breathability — perfect for vegetables. Come early (doors open at 11:00 a.m.) to order lunch from Whiskey Cake’s locally-sourced menu!

Join Oklahoma’s own Jamie Csizmadia, Landscape Architect and Owner of Olthia Urban Prairie Garden Design, as she discusses the importance of native habitats adjacent to home edible gardens. Participants will learn why the presence of wild bees improves food production. Learn how to attract and keep beneficial pollinators, including the best indigenous plants for the job. Attendees will take home a classic layout for a front yard Pollinator Pocket + Edible Garden design geared toward the typical OKC residential lot.

Nationally acclaimed author and radio host Howard Garrett, a.k.a. The Dirt Doctor, presents his recommendations for organic methods for landscaping and backyard gardens. Book signing and free reception sponsored by Smart Pot to follow.

Nationally acclaimed author and radio host Howard Garrett, a.k.a. The Dirt Doctor, discusses the benefits and methods for growing a bounty of food in the fall in Oklahoma. A tree-planting demonstration will be included. Attendees will receive Howard’s Basic Organic Program Handout and will have a chance to win books and natural organic products.

Growing Cities film screening | Sponsored by TLC Gardens | With support from Myriad Botanical Gardens and Transition OKC

Growing Cities is a brand-new documentary which examines the role of urban farming in America. This inspiring film asks the question: How much power does urban farming have to revitalize our cities and change where we grow food and the way we eat.

Learn about the landmark City of Oklahoma City ordinance adopted in 2014 which supports and encourages composting, rainwater harvesting, and other activities on a variety of garden types. Find out how this could benefit existing urban agriculture efforts in Oklahoma City and share ideas for a future community garden program.

Discover an easier way to garden in this free workshop at Whole Foods Oklahoma City. A range of nutritious greens and vegetables can be grown in our climate through the fall and even the winter – with less watering, weeding, and work.

Urban Farm and Garden Tour

Sat. Sept. 6

8 a.m. – Noon

Advance tickets available at Whiskey Cake at 1845 NW Expressway, OKC

Tickets $5 available the day of the tour at select tour locations

Journey deeper into the natural wonder and abundance of urban farm and gardening sites — 14 in all — throughout Oklahoma City! On the day of the tour, you’ll pick up a site brochure with addresses, descriptions, and a map to enable you to visit as many sites as you wish at your own pace. Discover the beautiful and inspiring array of edible landscapes, urban farms, and community, school and home gardens thriving in Oklahoma City in this informative self-guided tour.

Volunteer to help with the tour here, and score a free organic cotton T-shirt and 2 comp tickets!

“You can’t know who you are until you know where you are.”—Wendell Berry

Basic to human existence is our life in the natural world. We are part of an interdependent, living organism we call planet Earth. In the city and in a technologically-focused society, it is easy to feel separated from the natural world that is our home and on which we depend. Learning to grow our own food puts us in touch with this amazing planet in a more intimate way. How does this happen, right here on the streets and in the neighborhoods of a city? The city is in nature too.

This workshop will help us pull back our view of the city and see it situated in the natural world. We will begin to get reacquainted with our bioregion, deepen our sense of place by visiting a couple of sites along Deep Fork Creek, exploring our natural history and mapping our “home.”

Meet at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 7 at 9 a.m. at the Head Waters of Deep Fork Creek—Ann Arbor, half a block south of 39th Expressway. Park in apartment complex parking lot, east side of Ann Arbor. You will be given a map of the stops. Most of the morning will be spent at Zachary Taylor Park, 633 NW 52nd. Come to the northeast end of the park.

Pat Hoerth, of Turtle Rock Farm, will lead the workshop. For questions, call 580.917.6011.